The Zetta Sonic
Felines

Alex spent his time in that room again. The atmosphere was a little different this time. He felt healthy, no fatigue, no drowsiness. Doctor Vanessa came to visit him that afternoon for an examination. According to him, his condition is stable. Same with Rover.

The next morning, Jayden escorted Alex out. This is the first time Alex has come out of the basement. Sun welcomes. He passed through the hallways he had previously passed by in special order clothes. Today, he was wearing a blue T-shirt under the jacket. Caitlin brought it the night before. Fitting size.

“Green screen's. Smart way!” Jayden snorted amusedly recalling their first meeting. Alex did not answer. “You know, when you came here, I thought we had a secret agent from a crime syndicate. You even subverted Tiger.”

“He's still upset about it.”

“He said something to you?”

Alex shakes. “I saw his eyes when sending breakfast this morning.”

Jayden laughing. He led the way towards the back of the reservoir. This is not the part Alex entered. This side is different. This side looks more rundown by garbage, broken wooden crates, and used barrels. Surprisingly, the place did not give off the scent of trash.

Alex knew the reason when Jayden moved his hand through one of the barrels. The hand pierced through it like the wind. Alex tried to do the same. Seeing that, Jayden threw a faint smile.

“Hologram?” guess Alex.

“This place is safe from the common people. But, not safe enough from curious cats like you or our super villains.”

“You are less personnel.”

“Nadira wants this operation to run very secretly. The less personnel means the less risk of leaking. That alone still makes us able to be caught.”

“You've tracked Damon?”

Jayden. He stopped in front of an old building. The walls are cracked, the iron doors are rusty, the name of the room is blurry. It's nothing more than an illusion. Jayden went the extra mile to give the impression of an old building. His feet stepped through the door. He turned to Alex, “You didn't ask why we had to go through the door when this whole wall was fake?”

“So those looking at the CCTV footage think it's a glitch?”

“I'm happy to talk to people who understand.” Jayden laughing.

After passing through the hologram, Alex sees the real building. This building has the same height but different uses. Jayden opened the twin and wide doors with a single button from his tiny tool. Rows of blinding lights immediately rained down on the entire corner of the room. It houses all the means of transport for the Zetta Sonic operation. A helicopter, a container truck, two SUVs, and several motors complete with equipment cabinets and self-contained gas tanks.

Alex was tempted to ask. “Why is everything all white?”

“Because black is too mainstream. Think about it, the color is used by many people. Office, criminal, politician, artist, spy. I think the ICPA wants to be different. After all, we don't really need to hide our identity. They will always know. Like Damon.”

“You got something from your former boss?”

“He hired a pretty good hacker as my replacement. He's suspicious about a supply truck that came in last week under the guise of a garbage truck. Damon sends people to check on her and sees Doctor Vanessa. Less is so.”

“According to you, there will be your enemies coming again?”

“Definitely. By the time it came, Sonic should have been ready. Isn't that right, Alex?”

Jayden came to one of the SUVs. He takes a seat behind the wheel while Alex sits next to him. Using the same device, Jayden opened the back door of the building. The car passed smoothly in the dark passageway. The passageway ends under a bridge near the reservoir. They came out by penetrating the wall hologram. Alex glanced at him through the rearview mirror.

“You did this all by yourself?” ask Alex, curious.

“Not really. Nadira asked for help from some random ICPA colleagues. They work per part in different time.”

“So, this operation is illegal, after all.”

Jayden slipping. “What!? Of course not. Why do you think so? ICPA center gives us permission officially. I saw their decision letters. Zetta Sonic is not Nadira's only wish.”

“Do you know how Dragon Blood was formed?”

“Nggak.” Jayden felt his forehead wrinkle. Unknowingly, his hand clutched the steering wheel. “I only know that Dragon Blood was found by Professor Otto during an expedition. I knew he couldn't have created it back then. There was no way he could carry various equipment and materials. That's just a figure of speech. Maybe he got his inspiration during the expedition.”

Alex threw his eyes out the window. He saw how they started getting into the motorway. It's still early enough, there's still not a lot of cars hanging around. “This car is only given GPS without voice recorder, ‘kan?” Alex asked but didn't expect an answer because then he spoke again. “Make me, it makes more sense that Professor found something in the middle of that expedition and refined it as Dragon Blood.”

Jayden was silent for a moment. “Good. Make no mistake, Alex. I thought like you myself. Let's just say it's true. Is there any impact for us now?”

Alex shrugs his shoulders. “Hopefully no.”

Jayden saw how Alex kept looking out since he got in the car. Something inside the boy made him uncomfortable. The boy did not reject his new status as an ICPA agent nor did he accept the blatant Dragon Blood within him. He was like a sponge ready to absorb any information. Jayden only hoped that Alex would not use the information against them.

Their car descended into the middle of the city after a ten-minute drive on the motorway.

Alex, who had been silent, asked again. “What will we do here? You don't just take me for a walk, ‘kan?”

“I've told you before. It's a field trip.”

“Omong empty. I'm a better liar than you, so I know.”

Jayden forced himself to laugh. “Hahaha.. Yes, this is not a real tour. We'll try your powers.”

“What strength do you mean? Sonic?” Alex frowning. “You want me to use it in the middle of the city seen by many people?”

“No people. Just chill. There was a plea for help sent to the ICPA Sinde headquarters this morning. Incidentally, the leader knew Nadira. This guy would rather call us than the police. According to him, if the police know, the problem will be more complicated.”

“What application?”

PIIIGS…

Alex's clock rang with the screen flashing. As Alex swipes it, a description of the mission Jayden intended. No need to read the entire contents, Alex could already guess from the topic section. Short and clear. “Tiger escaped from circus? You want me to fight a tiger?”